Tinder Box 20 Year Matured Virginia

I requested this blend to be included to see if anyone else out there has ever tried it. In 1979, Tinderbox offered this blend as a one time exclusive. It came in 50g tins and was also available in bulk. It was a ready-rubbed (almost shag-like), black tobacco that was described as 20 year-matured Virginia. It had a very pungent, perfumy smell - almost incense-like, but certainly not in a Lakeland/Condor way. It did not smell like the typical Virginia at all. I bought a pound of it in bulk, and still have about 2 ounces left. I suppose it is safe to say my sample is 50 years old! It lit very readily, but always burned way too hot for me, regardless of smoking technique. However, it had a very pleasant taste with perhaps a subtle vanilla undercurrent. I never cared for the Lakeland/Condor soapy, perfumy taste, but this was different. I liked it very much. Unfortunately, it not only smoked hot, but it burned my tongue every time. It was actually more of a hot nipping. I smoked some the other night for the first time after a very long hiatus from it and it was no different. never any moisture or dottle to speak of, burning clean and dry every time. It had a tendency to temporarily ghost a pipe as well.

A very strange Virginia, unlike any other I ever experienced, but no matter how I tried, I couldn't tame it, and I did try many times as it was quite pleasant in the taste department. It was never available after 1979 (if you have the 1979 Tinderbox cataloge, you can see the tin version pictured). Would I buy it again? Yes, I would. I still would like to one day tame this blend, but once my sample is gone, I am afraid that will be impossible. If there are others out there who have tried this in the past, I certainly would like to read your comments on it.